In a thrilling return to the world of competitive motorsport, seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is set to ignite the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in 2026 as he teams up with BMW M Motorsport. This legendary figure, who has captivated audiences on two wheels, is now ready to showcase his skill on four wheels, joining a powerhouse lineup that aims to conquer the championship.
BMW M Motorsport is pulling out all the stops with two formidable teams, WRT and Rowe, as they gear up to defend their hard-won titles from 2025 and target the coveted Endurance championship. The Belgian team WRT, fresh off a triumphant season where they clinched both the Sprint Cup and overall championship, will see defending champions Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa and Charles Weerts from Belgium return to pilot the BMW M4 GT3 EVO n° 32, a duo that has proven their mettle time and again.
Rossi, after a more varied racing schedule last year, is diving headfirst into his first love of racing, bringing his unmatched passion and experience to the grid. He will compete in all ten rounds of the championship for Team WRT, sharing the spotlight with Max Hesse from Germany in the Pro category. The anticipation is palpable, particularly for fans eager to see the iconic Italian racer back in action at famed venues like the Paul Ricard circuit on April 11-12 and Magny-Cours from July 31 to August 2. For those in Belgium, the legendary Spa track will host a thrilling opportunity from June 24-28.
Adding to the excitement, Dan Harper from Great Britain will join Rossi and Hesse for the endurance races, while the newly signed Jordan Pepper from South Africa will bolster the ranks of van der Linde and Weerts in the Endurance Cup, driving the n° 32 car.
The driver lineup has generated considerable enthusiasm, with BMW M Motorsport Director Andreas Roos expressing his confidence: “In GT World Challenge Europe, we have achieved great success in recent years. We approach the 2026 season with great confidence and excitement. Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts, our reigning champions, are kicking off the season. With the WRT and ROWE Racing teams, we have two exceptional outfits fielding a total of twelve official BMW M drivers in Pro and Gold Cup. We have the perfect lineup to aim for titles in sprint races, the Endurance Cup, and the overall standings. We can’t wait to kick off the first round of the season at Paul Ricard.”
Vincent Vosse, team director at WRT, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are ready and excited to start the new season of the GT World Challenge Europe, where we will defend multiple titles. Our team has had immense success since the inception of this championship. We are thrilled to welcome new drivers like Jordan, Max, and Dan. The excitement is at an all-time high as the season approaches.”
Charles Weerts, driving the BMW M4 GT3 EVO n° 32 for Team WRT, expressed his eagerness: “I’m thrilled to race alongside Kelvin again in the GT World Challenge Europe, and I’m happy Jordan is joining us. I can’t wait to compete in this championship, which continues to elevate its level. Even though we won’t have the number one on the car, we will fight relentlessly to defend our titles in the Sprint Cup and overall standings, and to secure our first title in the Endurance Cup with Kelvin and Jordan. We have a strong team, and I hope we achieve great things together.”
Rossi himself is bubbling with enthusiasm about the upcoming season: “I’m really excited to participate in the GT World Challenge Europe this year. I love this championship; the many duels make it thrilling. It was my first four-wheeled motorsport championship in 2022, and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
As the stage is set for an exhilarating season ahead, fans are on the edge of their seats, ready to witness the drama and excitement that Valentino Rossi and his team will undoubtedly bring to the track.
